Inking mechanism for printing machines



June 1, 1937. v BALL INKING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING MACHINES Filed May 5, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet l H. v. BALL 2,081,906

INKING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING MACHINES Filed May 5, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Q nconanoa Q auunoaon aoaunaon June 1, 1937.

June 1, 1937. H. v. BALL INKING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING MACHINES Filed May 5, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 v T N v E l a N. v m g y i Tm B L i I 3m K m n L. 2 \h m i u H w I J a H- H H $0 I I F! ll M km NW HI W M N .m m| m w W I w m 1| m H W MW hum III lm o l I H. H- HI. |||l| I 3 o W I W N\ v HIJ. M l II mm w m m R 9% A! l n W1 w Wm r W l v MN Hlnll Uh Y W V u Ob HI K T u u n w n mm I Nw w h. M6 mu flUJ Am 7 /942/5?/////////////////// 3 T IIL N &m J mm .F. J m l v l June 1, 1937. H. v. BALL INKING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING MACHINES Filed May 5, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 June 1 1937. H. v. BALL INKING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING MACHINES 5 sheets-sheet 5.

Filed May 5, 1934 Patented June 1, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFHQE INKING MECHANISM FOR. PRINTING MACHINES Application May 5, 1934, Serial No. 724,149

29 Claims.

This invention relates to an inking mechanism for printing machines of the type in which the ink is forced to the distributing cylinders, or

other selected components of the inking apparatus, so as to supply the ink under pressure in regulated and constantly controlled and uniform quantities, and preferably so that the supply of ink to each page and each column thereof may be varied as desired commensurate with the demands of the matter to be printed.

Heretofore, inking mechanisms have been provided in which ink is forced by pulsating pressure devices, such as piston pumps, to the selected components of an inking apparatus, and then supplied to the printing forms or plates. Such disclosures are made in United States Patents Nos. 1,214,856 and 1,311,198 to B. C'. White, and in subsequent Patents Nos. 1,589,148 and 1,713,655 to J. J. Halliwell, and in other patents directed to such concepts. In these devices, however, a predetermined or regulated quantity of ink is intermittently supplied to the inking apparatus, and at each operative impulse of the pumping mechanism ink is forced to the ink cylinder or roller, from which point the ink distributing apparatus works the ink into a film or ribbon and then supplies it to the forms or plates.

An object of this invention is to provide an inking mechanism for printing machines, in which the ink is forced under constantly controlled or regulated pressure through a discharge device which initially distributes the ink in a continuous uniform ribbon or film on an ink receiving cylinder or roller of a suitable ink distributing apparatus.

Another object of the invention is to provide, in an inking mechanism for printing machines, a. novel ink discharge device which is normally constrained in predetermined operable relationship with an ink cylinder or roller of an ink distributing apparatus, and constructed and arranged so that it is self-conforming relative to the periphery of the cooperating roller or cylinder, in order that its operative relation to the cylinder or roller may be determined by the degree of ink pressure exerted at the discharge outlet orifices of the ink discharging member.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide, in an inking mechanism for printing machines, a movable ink discharge device having an arcuate surface in which ink discharge orifices are located and which surface operably engages a roller or cylinder of an ink distribut ing apparatus, and the operative relationship between the arcuate discharge surface and the periphery of the cooperating ink roller or cylinder being determined by the degree of pressure exerted at the point of ink discharge or feed.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an inking mechanism in which ink is positively forced in continuous supply to a controlled or regulated pressure chamber, and this chamber operably communicated through valvecontrolled conduits with an ink discharge device to supply ink in a continuous ribbon or film to an ink roller or cylinder of an ink distributing apparatus, and the operative relationship between each ink distributing device and its cooperating cylinder or roller being determined by the amount of pressure produced in the pressure chamber.

An additional object of this invention is to provide an ink mechanism capable of supplying a controlled continuously-flowing ink film or ribbon to an ink cylinder or roller of an ink distributing apparatus of a printing machine, and the device being constructed and arranged to provide page control for the ink supply and column control for each page.

It is also an object of this invention to provide an inking mechanism for printing machines 01 generally improved construction, whereby the device would be simple. durable and inexpensive in construction. as well as convenient, practical, serviceable and efficient in its use.

With these and other objects not specifically referred to in view, the invention consists in certain novel parts, arrangements and combinations, which will be described in connection with the accompanying drawings and the novel features pointed out in the claims hereunto appended.

For a complete disclosure of the invention, a detail description of an inking mechanism embodying the invention in a preferred form and a modified arrangement of cooperating components will now be given in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and wherein:-

Figure l is an arrangement or diagrammatic view of a form of web perfecting printing press of the newspaper type, showing the invention supplied thereto;

Figure 2 is a similar view, but depicting a slightly modified form of ink distributing apparatus:

Figure 3 is a fragmental plan view of a portion of an ink distributing apparatus, showing the ink discharge device forming the subject matter of this application applied thereto;

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view taken on line ll of Fig. 3, depicting the novel ink discharge device and the cooperating components of an ink distributing apparatus, parts appearing in elevation;

Figure 5 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of the novel ink pumping device, taken on the line 5--5 of Fig. 3;

Figure 6 is a plan view of the pumping device, parts appearing in section;

Figure '7 is a transverse sectional view through the pumping device and taken on line 'i? of Fig. 5; and

Figure 8 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line d8 of Fig. 5, depicting the drive mechanism for the ink pumps.

Referring to the drawings, in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts, the invention is shown in Figure l as applied to a type of rotary web printing and perfecting press having two printing couples, each couple consisting of a form cylinder it"! and impression cylinder ll. An ink discharge device or member D initially deposits the ink on a soft roller l2, which supplies it to a cylinder 53, which, in turn, supplies it to a second cylinder M, through the instrumentality of soft transfer rollers l5, and the ink is finally distributed from the cylinder M to the form cylinder lil by soft form rollers it, which operably engage the ink cylinder i and form cylinder iii.

In Figure 2 a slightly modified form of ink distributing apparatus is shown, in which the discharge device D initially deposits ink directly on the periphery of the first ink cylinder 53, and the ink is then conveyed to the second cylinder M5 by a single interposed transfer roller l5, and from this point the ink is distributed to the form cylinders ill in the same manner as in the arrangement disclosed in Figure 1.

In Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4, the novel ink discharge device D is shown, and ink is operably supplied to it from an ink pumping and feed arrangement P, shown in Figures 3, 5, 6, 7 and 8, the detailsof which will be later disclosed, and from which ink is conveyed to the discharge device D by suitable pipes or conduits C, which pass through and nested in a supporting tubular housing or casing H.

The ink pumping and feeding device P includes a casing or housing 26, to which ink is fed any suitable source of ink supply, not shown, such as the usual ink tank or receptacle commonly positioned some distance from the printing machine, through a feed pipe 2i into an ink inlet or supply conduit 22 that feeds the ink to one side of a number of separate rotary pumps 23 through branch ink supply conduits These pumps are preferably in the form of intermeshing rotary members or gears having helically disposed teeth, which gears are operably received in pumping chambers 25 formed in the casing The opposed or outlet side of each pump is operably communicated with an ink chamber 353 through a suitable port 3E. The pumps are driven from any suitable moving or operating component of the printing machine, and preferably through a gear 35, which rotates a shaft 3 journalled in the housing 2E1, as indicated 2i, and this shaft has a driving worm 38 mounted thereon, which, in turn, drives Worm gears 39, mounted for free rotary movement on the pump drive shafts iii.

Each shaft ill is iournalled in bearing bushings 4 l, supported in bores formed in the housing 20, and is secured to and drives the lower helical gear %5, which meshes with a similar gear it to form the pumping device 23.

As shown in Figs. 3, 5 and 6, means are provided for cperably connecting or disconnecting each pump drive shaft til relative to its driving worm gear 38. This pump drive controlling means is in the form of manually operable clutches, each clutch including a sleeve 68 slidably mounted on each shaft and normally constrained in a direction towards the worm gear by a helical spring so, which surrounds the shaft and is retained in position by a washer 59 held to the shaft by a screw 55. The inner or operative face of the clutch sleeve ill is provided with a relatively shallow slot 55 and a deep slot 56, which slots are preferably disposed at an angle of to each other.

A pin 5? is secured to and projects from one side of the shaft ii], and a key or feather 58 is secured to the shaft and is preferably diametrically disposed relative to the pin 5i. When it is desired to connect the pump gear driving shaft it to the pump drive worm gear the clutch sleeve is is turned so that its deep slot 5t straddles the pin 5's, and, in this position, the key 58 enters a recess 59 formed in the hub of the worm gear 39, thereby locking the shaft tothe gear 33, consequently driving the helical pump gears c5 and 66. To disconnect the pump drive shaft id from its driving worm, the clutch sleeve it is moved outwardly and turned so that its shallow slot 55 engage the pin 57:, thereby holding the key 58 from engagement with the recess 59, to permit the worm gear 39 to rotate freely on the shaft ill, thus silencing the pump gears.

In order to insure a constant ink or hydrostatic pressure in each chamber 39, the compo ncnts of the pumping device are arranged and capacitated to supply more to the ink chamber 39 than is required to ink the form cylinder ill of the press, and the surplus ink is by-passed ba .1 to the feed line or ink supply. In the pres ent instance, a by-passconduit or port 62 leads from each chamber to a valve seat 63, which operably receives or seats a ball valve normally constrained to closed position by a helical spring es, which is housed within a cap 65 carried by a casing 28, and is interposed between the ball and the flange end 6'? of a manually adjustable screw or device 68. Suitable ports ill lead from the supply conduits 22 to each valve seat 63, and communicate with the ports 62 when the valve M is forced from engagement with its seat 53.

Each chamber 38 is provided with a plurality of ink outlet apertures i having valve seats i l formed in the inner terminals thereof for the reception of valve members l5, which are threaded to the casing 28, and each valve is provided with a manually manipulable knurled head ?6, thus providing means for rotating the valve members it to thereby move them to or from their cooperating seats M to control or regulate the quantity of ink flowing from each chamber tl'irough the outlet apertures lit. The valve heads in normally concealed or housed by cover i3 which is hinged to the casing as indicated at E3, and access to the manipulable valve heads it is gained by lifting the cover about its hinges thus exposing the heads. Each aperture i3 communicates with an ink convey ing conduit C, which extends through and is nested within the casing H, and communicates at. its opposed terminal with one of the outlet orifices .19, formed in the ink discharging members of heads D, the details of which will be hereinafter disclosed.

The entire ink pumping and feeding device is arranged as a composite structure which can be assembled and secured to or removed from the printing machine as a unit. The casing of the pumping arrangement P is preferably secured to one terminal of the tubular housing of casing H, and the terminals of this casing are received in brackets 89, which are secured to the machine frame F by suitable machine screws 8!, as indicated. The'ink discharging device or member -D comprises a plurality of ink discharging heads or'mernbers 85, and each head is pivotally secured, as indicated at 88, to brackets or ears 8?, carried by the supporting housing or casing H. Each'head or member 85 is provided with a removable cover or plate 88 to aid'in manufacture and to also give access to the ink outlet orifices 19 for cleaning or repairing. Each outlet orifice flareslaterally towards its outlet terminal, asindicat'ed at 99, in Figure 3, but the width of the orifice is restricted as it approaches its outletterminal, asindicated at. 9!, in Figure 4. Thus it is seen that the ink outlet orifices at their outlet terminals converge and intersect to provide a continuous elongated outlet aperture. The terminal of each ink discharge head which is remote from its pivotal po-intis provided with an arcuate face 93 that operably engages the periphery of the cooperating rotary ink receiving member, which may be in the form of a soft composition or rubber roller, as indicated at 2, in Figures 1 and 4; or it may be a metal cylinder, as indicated at H3, in Figure 2. The arcuate face 93 of each ink discharge head or member 85 is normally constrained in operable and yielding engagement with the periphery of its cooperating rotary inkreceiving'member by means of a suitable helical spring 95, which has one terminal secured to a lug 96, carried by the lower face of the ink supply head, and the opposed terminal attached to a lug or stud 9'! secured to the supporting housing or casing H.

The ink discharging member D, in the pres ent instance, is arranged to supply ink to a form cylinder l0 capable of printing a web W four pages wide, and a separate or independent ink discharging head or member 85 is provided for each page; and inasmuch as each page includes a number of columns of printed matter, in the present case eight columns being provided for each page, each head is consequently provided with eight ink outlets 19, each of which, as hereinbefore disclosed, is provided with separate ink conveying conduits C.

In operation, if it is desired to print a paper of full width, all of the clutch sleeves 48 are moved to locking engagement with the pump drive worm gears 39, which are driven by the common worm 38from any operating component of the press, thereby drivingthe helical pumping gears 45 and 45. This pump forces ink from the supply line or conduit into its cooperating chamber 39, and each pump is capacitated to supply a quantity of ink to each chamber 3!! in excess of the printing requirements. Inasmuch as the teeth of the helical pumping gears $5 and MS accurately engage the arcuate end surfaces of the pumping chambers 25, the angular or helical disposition of the teeth of these gears will consequently force ink into the chamber 3% in a continuous nonpulsating flow and build up a definite ink or hydrostatic pressure therein. The helical teeth of the gears and 46 operably engage and disengage the arcuate end walls or surfaces 26 of the pumping chambers 25 in staggered relation, as shown in Figure '7, thereby contributing to the nonpulsating characteristics of the pump. Furthermore, the helical disposition of these teeth causes them to intermesh without imparting pulsations to the ink being forced through the ports 3| into the ink chamber 36. When the pressure in the chamber 30 reaches a predetermined value or degree, determined by the adjustment of the spring tension exerted on valve 64, this valve is forced from its seat and permits the surplus ink to by-pass from the chamber 38 through the-conduits 52 and Hi back into the ink supply line or conduit 22, thereby maintaining constant uniform pressure in the chamber 3i Inasmuch as there is provided an ink chamber 30 for each page to be printed, the amount of ink required to properly print the selected page may be conveniently and accurately controlled by adjusting the spring tension exerted on the valve 64 by manipulating the screw 68. When printing cuts or other black matter a greater quantity of ink is required, and, in this event, the screw 68 is adjusted to exert a greater tension on the valve 64, thereby offering a greater resistance to the by-passing ink and consequently forcing a greater supply through the conduits C and ink discharge orifice l9, and onto the ink distributing apparatus and finally to the plate of the selected page.

Since each chamber 30 is provided with a valve for controlling the ink supply line or conduit C for each column of each page, it is manifest that the required quantity of ink for properly printing each column may be controlled or regulated by properly adjusting the valve 15 which controls the ink supply to the selected column.

If for any reason it is desired to cut off the ink from a page, the pump supplying ink to the selected page may be conveniently silenced by merely manipulating the corresponding clutch sleeve so that its shallow slot engages the pin 5?, thereby permitting the worm wheel 39 to rotate freely on the shaft 40 without imparting motion to the pump 23, and consequently preventing the feeding of ink to this page. Because an accurately predetermined and constant degree of pressure may be created and maintained in each chamber 30, and a supply of ink from this chamber to each column definitely controlled, it is obvious that a definite predetermined supply of ink is constantly conveyed to the selected page or column thereof, thereby insuring even and uniform ink distribution. Furthermore, inasmuch as the ink is supplied to the outlet orifices 19 in a constant uniform flow, it is consequently deposited uniformly on the ink receiving member of roller l2, and the movement of this roller in carrying the ink along with it causes the ink discharge heads 85 to lift sufficiently to permit a film of ink to pass, and inasmuch as the arcuate face 93 is constrained towards the periphery of the ink receiving roller, it tends to distribute the ink on this roller in a continuous uniform film, thereby predistributing the ink prior to its conveyance to the provided ink distributing rollers and cylinders. Inasmuch as the ink is deposited on the periphery of the ink receiving roller or cylinder in a continuous uniform film, it is not necessary,

to provide reciprocating ink distributing rollers, but, on the contrary, the ink is worked into a suitable uniform film before it reaches the form cylinder. However to further insure that a uniform film of ink is supplied to each form or plate cylinder of the printing press any selected component or components of the ink distributing apparatus of the press may be reciprocated in the usual manner. One or both of the ink distributing cylinders of each ink distributing apparatus may be reciprccated if desired, although experiments have shown that good results may be obtained without reciprocating or vibrating either the ink cylinders or the transfer or distributing rollers.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and useful in the art is:-

1. In an inking mechanism for printing machines having ink distributing apparatus for printing separate pages having separate columns, an ink chamber for each page, independent means for forcing ink into each chamber, conduits for conveying the ink from the chambers to the ink distributing apparatus of the printing machine, each conduit supplying ink for each column of the separate pages, automatic means for independently controlling the ink pressure in each chamber to thereby control the ink supply to each page, and means for controlling the quantity of ink supply through each conduit to each column.

2. In an inking mechanism for printing machines having ink distributing apparatus for printing separate pages having separate columns, an ink chamber for each page, independent means for forcing ink into each chamber, conduits for conveying ink from the chambers to the ink distributing apparatus of the printing machine, each conduit supplying ink for each column of the separate pages, automatic manually adjustable means for independently controlling the ink pressure in each ink chamber to thereby regulate the ink supply to each page, and manually operable means for regulating the quantity of ink supplied through each conduit to each column.

3. In an inking mechanism for printing machines having ink distributing apparatus for printing separate pages having separate columns, an ink chamber for each page, means for forcing ink into each chamber, conduits for conveying ink from the chambers to the ink distributing apparatus of the printing machine, each conduit supplying ink for each column, manually adjustable means for controlling the ink pressure in each chamber to thereby regulate the ink supply to each page, manually operable means for discontinuing the operation of the means for forcing ink into each chamber, thereby cutting off the ink supply to the selected page, and manually operable means for regulating the quantity of ink supplied through each conduit to each column.

4. In an inking mechanism for printing machines having ink supply and ink distributing apparatus for printing separate pages having separate columns, an ink chamber for each page, means for forcing ink from the ink supply into each chamber, conduits leading from each chamber to the ink distributing apparatus of the printing machine, each conduit supplying ink for a column, a manually adjustable yieldable valve operably interposed between the source of ink supply and each chamber for by-passing surplus ink from its chamber to the ink supply thereby controlling the ink pressure in its chamber to regulate the ink supplied to each page, manually operable means for discontinuing the operation of the means for forcing ink into each chamber, thereby cutting off the ink supply to the selected page, and a manually operable valve for each conduit to regulate the quantity of ink supplied to each column.

5. In an inking mechanism for printing machines having ink supply and ink distributing apparatus for printing separate pages having separate columns, an ink chamber for each page, a rotary pump for forcing ink from the ink supply into each ink chamber, means for driving the said pumps, conduits leading from each ink chamber to: the ink distributing apparatus of the printing machine, each conduit supplying ink for a column, a manually adjustable yieldable valve operably interposed between the ink supply and each chamber for by-passing surplus ink from its chamber around its pump to the ink supply thereby controlling the ink pressure in its chamber to regulate the ink supply to each page, manually operable clutches for disconnecting each pump from its driving means thereby cutting off the ink supply to the selected page, and a manually operable valve for each conduit to regulate the quantity of ink supplied to each column.

6. In combination in a printing machine for printing separate pages and each page having a plurality of columns, an ink distributing apparatus having a rotary ink receiving member, an ink discharge member comprising a separate yieldingly movable discharge head for each page and operably engaging the periphery of the rotary ink receiving member, each head having a plurality of ink outlets to supply ink to each column of each page, and means for supplying ink to the discharge heads and communicating it with the said outlets.

7. In combination in a printing machine for printing separate pages and each page having a plurality of columns, an ink distributing apparatus having a rotary ink receiving member, an ink discharge member comprising separate pivotally supported discharge heads operably engaging the periphery of the rotary ink receiving member, there being a head for each page, and each head having a plurality of ink outlets, there being an outlet for each column of a page, and means for supplying ink independently to each outlet.

8. In combination in a printing machine, an ink distributing apparatus having a rotary ink receiving member, a movably supported ink discharge member having a surface operably engaging the periphery of the rotary ink receiving member, the discharge member having outlet orifices formed therein and extending to the surface which operably engages the ink receiving member, and means for independently feeding ink through each orifice to thereby supply ink to the ink receiving member.

9. In combination in a printing machine, an ink distributing apparatus having a rotary ink receiving member, a movably supported ink discharge member having a surface operably engaging the periphery of the rotary ink receiving member, the discharge member having ink outlet orifices formed therein and extending through the surface which engages the rotary ink receiving member, and means for feeding ink under pressure to the discharge member and independently through each outlet orifice onto the ink receiving member thereby floating the discharge member on the discharging ink.

10. In combination in a printing machine, an ink distributing apparatus having a rotary ink receiving member, a movably supported ink discharge member having an arcuate surface operably engaging the periphery of the rotary ink receiving member, the discharge member having ink outlet orifices formed therein and extending through the arcuate surface, and means for feeding ink under pressure to the discharge member and through the outlet orifices onto the rotary ink receiving member thereby moving the discharge member away from the rotary ink receiv ing member on the discharging ink and causing the arcuate surface of the discharge member to distribute the ink in a uniform film on the ink receiving member.

11. In combination in a printing machine, an ink distributing apparatus having a rotary ink receiving member, a movably supported ink discharge member having a discharge surface, means for yieldingly constraining the discharge surface of the ink discharge in operable engagement with the periphery of the ink receiving member, the discharge member having outlet orifices formed therein and extending through the discharge surface, and means for feeding ink under pressure to the discharge member and independently through each outlet orifice onto the ink receiving member thereby floating the discharge member on the discharging ink.

12. In combination in a printing machine, an ink distributing apparatus having a rotary ink receiving member, a moveable ink discharge member having a discharge surface formed thereon, means for yieldingly constraining the discharge surface of the ink discharge member in operable engagement with the periphery of the ink receiving member, the discharge member having outlet orifices formed therein and extending through the discharge surface, and means for feeding ink under pressure tothe discharge member and independently through the outlet orifices onto the rotary ink receiving member to move the ink discharge member away from the ink receiving member against the said constraining means to permit a film of ink to be fed between the periphery of the ink receiving member and the discharge surface of the ink discharge member.

13. In combination in a printing machine, an ink distributing apparatus having a rotary ink receiving member, a casing supported by the machine frame, an ink pumping device, an ink discharge member pivotally supported on the casing and operably engaging the periphery of the rotary ink receiving member, conduits leading from the pumping device through the casing and to the ink discharge member.

14. In combination in a printing machine for printing separate pages having a plurality of columns, an ink distributing apparatus having a rotary ink receiving member, a casing supported by the machine frame, an ink pumping device, an ink discharge member for each page pivotally supported on the casing and operably engaging the periphery of the rotary ink receiving member, each ink discharge member having outlet orifices formed therein, there being an outlet orifice for each column, and conduits leading from the pumping device through the casing to the ink discharge member to communicate the ink pumping device with the outlet orifices of the ink discharge member.

15. In combination in a printing machine for printing separate pages having a plurality of columns, an ink distributing apparatus having a rotary ink receiving member, a casing supported by the machine frame, an ink pumping device, an

ink discharge member for each page pivotally supported by the casing and yieldingly constrained in operable engagement with the periphery of the rotary ink receiving member, each ink discharge member having outlet orifices formed therein, there being an orifice for each column, and conduits leading from the pumping device through the casing to the discharge member to communicate the pumping device with each ink outlet orifice of the ink discharge member.

16. In an inking mechanism for a printing machine having an ink distributing apparatus including a rotary ink receiving member, an ink chamber, means for forcing ink into the chamber to create ink pressure therein, a movable ink discharge member yieldingly engaging the periphery of the rotary ink receiving member and having outlet orifices for discharging ink onto the periphery of the rotary ink receiving member, means for communicating the ink discharge member with the ink chamber, and means for varying the ink pressure in the chamber to infiuence the operative relation between the ink discharge member and the rotary ink receiving member by the degree of pressure created in the chamber. 5

1'7. In an inking mechanism for a printing machine having an ink distributing apparatus including a rotary ink receiving -member, an ink chamber, means for forcing ink into the chamber to create ink pressure therein, a movable ink disdischarge member and the rotary ink receiving member by the degree of pressure created in the chamber.

18. The method of inking a printing machine arranged for printing separate pages having separate columns, which consists in supplying separate quantities of ink and independently maintaining each quantity of ink at predetermined pressure, distributing the ink from each quantity to' supply each page, and independently controlling the supply of ink from each quantity to each column of each page.

19. The method of inking a printing machine arranged for printing separate pages having separate columns, which consists in pumping ink in non-pulsating flow into separate chambers, independently maintaining predetermined variable ink pressure in each chamber, distributing the ink from each chamber to supply each page, and independently controlling the supply of ink from each chamber to each column of each page.

20. The method of inking a printing machine having plate and impression cylinders, which consists in pumping ink in non-pulsating flow into separate chambers, independently by-passing the ink pumped to each chamber to maintain predetermined ink pressure in each chamber, distributing the ink from each chamber to supply each page, and independently controlling the supply of ink for each column of each page.

21. In an inking mechanism for printing ma chines having ink supply and ink distributing apparatus, an ink chamber, a pump chamber having opposed arcuate walls, a rotary pump positioned in the pump chamber and operably interposed between the ink supply and the chamber and having meshing gears With helically disposed teeth operating in staggered relation to the 0pposed arcuate walls of the pump chamber to pump ink in a continuous flow under uniform pressure into the chamber to produce uniform ink pressure therein, means for controlling the ink pressure in the chamber, and means for conveying ink from the chamber to the ink distributing apparatus of the printing machine.

22. In an inking mechanism for printing machines for printing a plurality of pages and having an ink distributing apparatus, an independent pressure-controlling ink chamber for each page communicating with the ink distributing apparatus of the printing machine, and means for independently pumping ink in a constant flow of uniform pressure into each chamber.

23. In an inking mechanism for printing machines for printing a plurality of pages and having an ink distributing apparatus, an ink chamber for each page communicating with the ink distributing apparatus of the printing machine, means for independently pumping ink in a constant uniform flow into each chamber, and auto matic means for independently controlling the ink pressure in each chamber.

24. In an inking mechanism for printing machines, having an ink discharging apparatus, for printing a plurality of pages and each page having a plurality of columns, an ink chamber for each page communicating with the ink discharging apparatus of the printing machine, means for independently pumping ink in a constant flow into each chamber, and means for independently controlling the quantity of ink supplied from each chamber to each column. of the page.

25. In an inking mechanism for printing machines, having an ink discharging apparatus, for printing a plurality of pages and each page having a plurality of columns, an ink chamber for each page communicating with the ink discharging apparatus of the printing machine, means for independently pumping ink in a constant flow into each chamber, automatic means for independently controlling the ink pressure in each chamber, and means for independently controlling the quantity of ink supplied from each cham her to each column of the page.

26. In an inking mechanism for printing machines for printing a plurality of pages and hav ing an ink distributing apparatus, an ink chamber for each page communicating with the ink distributing apparatus of the printing machine, means for independently pumping ink in a constant uniform flow into each chamber, means for independently maintaining uniform ink pressure in each chamber, and manually-controlled means for independently varying the ink pressure in each chamber.

27. In an inking mechanism for printing machines for printing a plurality of pages and having an ink distributing apparatus, an ink chamber for each page communicating with the ink distributing apparatus of the printing machine, means for independently pumping ink in a constant uniform flow into each chamber, and means for independently maintaining predetermined uniform ink pressure in each chamber by automatically discharging the surplus pumped ink from the chamber after a predetermined ink pressure has been established therein.

28. In an inking mechanism for printing machines ior printing a plurality of pages and having an ink distributing apparatus, an ink supply conduit, an ink chamber for each page communicating with the ink distributing apparatus of the printing machine, means for independently pumping ink in a constant uniform flow from the ink supply conduit into each chamber, means for independently controlling the ink pressure in each chamber, and automatic means for independently by-passing surplus ink from each chamber to the ink supply conduit when the ink pressure in each chamber exceeds a predetermined value.

29. In an inking mechanism for printing machines for printing a plurality of pages and having an ink distributing apparatus, an ink supply conduit, an ink chamber for each page communicating with the ink distributing apparatus, means for independently pumping ink from the ink supply conduit in a continuous flow of uniform pressure into each chamber to produce uniform ink pressure therein, a valve operably interposed between the ink supply conduit and each chamber and normally biased to closed position by yielding stress, manually operable means for adjusting the yielding stress exerted on each valve, the valve yielding against the stress to by-pass surplus ink from each chamber back to the ink supply conduit when a predetermined ink pressure is produced in each chamber.

HARRY V. BALL. 

